The Fisherman

01. THE FISHERMAN. A fisherman was fishing in a certain river, and having thrown out his nets so as to impede the ﬂowing of the water, began to beat it so that the fishes might fall into the nets. A neighbor observing this, expostulated with him for disturbing the water and rendering it unﬁt to drink “Very well,” he replied; “ if I do not beat the water I shall catch no ﬁsh.” MORAL. Public men generally agitate their country for their own political ends. [more info]